When suspecting a fire is of incendiary origin, who must release the property before overhaul operations can begin?

When a fire is suspected to be of incendiary origin, it is crucial to ensure that a thorough investigation occurs before any overhaul operations begin. This is where the role of the Arson Investigator becomes pivotal. Before the fire scene can be cleared for further actions, such as overhaul—which involves removing debris to check for hidden fire or to secure the area—the property must be released by the Arson Investigator.

The presence of an Arson Investigator is necessary because they are specifically trained to handle the complexities of suspicious fires. They conduct a thorough analysis of the scene to gather evidence of potential criminal activity, which could include determining the cause and origin of the fire. This helps to prevent the destruction of evidence that could be critical to any subsequent investigation or prosecution.

In contrast, while the Incident Commander, Company Officer, or Home Owner might have varying degrees of authority regarding the scene, they lack the specialized training that the Arson Investigator possesses in terms of identifying and securing evidence related to incendiary fires. This distinguishes the role of the Arson Investigator as the key figure responsible for the release of the property.